Top 14 move confirmed for Japan back-rower Tevita Tatafu
Japan back-rower Tevita Tatafu will stay on in France after the 2023 Rugby World Cup as Suntory Sungoliath have confirmed he will join Bordeaux for the 2023/24 Top 14 season. The recently-turned 27-year-old from Tonga, who came through the age-grade ranks with the Japanese, debuted for Jamie Joseph’s Test team in 2021 and was a starter versus England and a replacement against France in last November’s Autumn Nations Series.
A statement read: “It has been decided that Tevita Tatafu, who currently belongs to Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, will transfer to Union Bordeaux-Begles, one of the Top 14 clubs, after the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2022/23 season.”
Tatafu said: "Thank you for always supporting me. I would like to seize this opportunity and do my best to make use of what I learned at Sungoliath and show my growth. I will do my best so that Sungoliath can win League One this season without thinking about it. Please continue to support us."
General manager Naoya Okubo added: "Tevita's departure from the team will be a huge blow, but I believe that this challenge will lead to his personal growth.
“I hope that he will take on a bold challenge in Bordeaux and show us how much he has grown. Also, if you ever come back to Japan after completing the challenge in France, please come back to Sungoliath. The whole team hopes that you will."
The arrival of back-rower Tatafu at Bordeaux will reinforce a section of the French team that will lose Alban Roussel and Tom Willis, who are expected to respectively join Lyon and Saracens. His singing is the fourth arrival for 2023/24, with Paul Abadie, Romain Latterrade and Damian Penaud already lined up to join the club that is undergoing a major revamp following the exit of Christophe Urios as boss.
Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to comments